Unit Textbook ACMGAS204A Study Material Moodle Complete Version v1.1.2018

Version 1.1.
2018
This study material covers topics for
ACMGAS204A Feed and water animals, which
includes -
• Importance of food
• Nutrients and supplements
• Feeding principles
• Food preparation and storage
• Presenting food to animals
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contents of this publication.
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................................1
Required Skills ...................................................................................................................................................2
Required Knowledge........................................................................................................................................3
Assessment Strategy........................................................................................................................................4
Student Progress Check List ..........................................................................................................................5
Chapter 1 – Introduction ....................................................................................................................................7
Food and animal diets .....................................................................................................................................9
Chapter 2 – Nutrients and supplements ..................................................................................................... 11
Nutrients.......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Supplements................................................................................................................................................... 23
Chapter 3 – Feeding principles....................................................................................................................... 25
A balanced diet............................................................................................................................................... 27
Feeding frequency ......................................................................................................................................... 27
Feeding plans ................................................................................................................................................. 29
Food Presentation ......................................................................................................................................... 31
Chapter 4 – Food preparation and storage................................................................................................. 37
Food preparation........................................................................................................................................... 39
Food storage ................................................................................................................................................... 40
Food shelf life ................................................................................................................................................. 42
Thawing frozen foods ................................................................................................................................... 42
Chapter 5 – Presenting food to animals ...................................................................................................... 45
Presenting food & water to animals ......................................................................................................... 47
Monitoring food & water intake ................................................................................................................. 49

ACMGAS204A Feed and water animals
Description This unit of competency covers the process of preparing, presenting

and distributing food and water for animals under supervision and
according to workplace dietary requirements.
Application of the unit This unit is applicable to new entrants to the animal care and
management industry. Animal care may occur in a wide variety of
workplaces, including retail pet stores, kennels and catteries,
shelters, veterinary practices, zoos, animal research facilities and
others.
In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of

competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training
Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and
calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for
animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Elements of Prepare for feeding

Competency Feed and water animals
Complete the feeding and watering process
1 | © Applied Vocational Training 2018 | ACMGAS204A Feed and water animals

This unit will require demonstrated evidence of the ability to:
 complete relevant work-related documents
 comply with basic legislative and regulatory compliance requirements in animal care
workplaces
 employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures

when handling animals and feed
 identify common feedstuffs and relate these to animal dietary requirements
 maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the
risk of infection and cross-infection
 use chemicals and cleaning agents to clean feeding equipment and workplace in
accordance with state or territory legislation and organisational policies and procedures
 use equipment and machinery correctly and safely
 literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including
occupational health and safety (OHS); follow sequenced written instructions; and record
information accurately and legibly
 oral communication skills/language to fulfill the job role as specified by the organisation,
including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from
supervisor
 numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
 interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic
backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
 use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly
 problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks
 use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment
 use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

 animal care and hygiene principles
 animal temperaments and behaviours related to the associated hazards and risks to
animals and staff during animal feeding
 basic nutritional needs, including water of animals and feedstuffs suitable to provide
these nutrients to a range of animals of various ages, status and conditions
 communication procedures and systems, and technology relevant to the organisation

and the individual's work responsibilities
 hazards to animals and humans in the preparation, distribution and storage of feedstuffs
 methods of transmission of disease and infection
 methods used to prepare and present feedstuff to animals according to dietary,

physiological and behavioural needs
 organisational policies, procedures and requirements, including OHS, emergency

procedures and feeding animals
 physiological features of animals
 principles of animal welfare and ethics
 protocols and ethical considerations in the relay of information to others
 regulations relating to the disposal of hazardous waste
 relevant OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice
 safe animal handling techniques and procedures
 safe use of chemicals and cleaning agents
 storage requirements for food
 terminology used to identify animals and describe their behaviour
 types of mould and bacteria in food preparation areas
 workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and

cleaning equipment and materials.

The assessments for ACMGAS204A Feed and water animals are:
1. Workplace assignment 1- Storage and preparation of food
2. Workplace assignment 2 – Feeding plan and record keeping
3. Moodle Test
4. Completion of all practical skills required for this unit
Assessment 1
Workplace assignment 1 (begin after chapter 4)
Describe hygiene procedures in place for the preparation of animal feeds at your workplace.
This should include :
- How food is stored

- A description of any specific preparation guidelines (e.g. thawing frozen food)
- Cleaning/disinfectant products and equipment used in feed preparation area
- How waste is disposed of
- Any separation of food preparation areas for different animal species
Assessment 2
Workplace assignment 2 (begin after chapter 5)
Choose 1 animal species that you have been involved in caring for at your workplace.
1. Describe the feeding plan created for this animal (include the type of food, frequency of
feeding, the amount of food and how it is presented to the animal). Revise chapter 3.
2. Describe how eating and drinking habits are recorded and monitored for this animal
3. Attach examples of any documents that are used to record this information (scanned
or photographic image of the document)
Assessment 3 : Moodle Test
This test is timed and is to be attempted AFTER you have read all 5 chapters of this unit,
completed all revision questions and had time to revise all content.

Assessment 4: Workplace Practical Skills Worksheets
These practical skills form an important part of the assessment for this unit and should be
completed during your practical work placement. These skills can be found in your Practical Skills
Workbook.
Check List for ACMGAS204A Feed and water animals
Students must complete all forms of assessments, activities and practical skills listed to a
satisfactory standard in order to obtain competency and be awarded this unit of competency.
For your records only:
Assessment Date completed Date passed
and submitted
Workplace assignment 1: Storage and preparation of food
Workplace assignment 2: Feeding plan and record keeping
Moodle test
Practical skills worksheet
COMPLETE ASSESSMENT
This symbol is a friendly reminder to
. complete an online assessment

Outline
 Importance of food
Instructions for this chapter
 Read the Unit material supplied
 Read any recommended references
 Refer to Moodle for any extra resources
 Complete the revision questions
 Complete assessments

Animals require food and water in the correct quantities to optimise health and recovery from
disease. Under Animal Welfare Legislation, it is a requirement of those keeping and caring for
animals to ensure that they are provided with the right amount of correct food and adequate
water to maintain a good state of health.
Food can be described as any solid or liquid which, when swallowed, provides nourishment for the
animal’s body. Food provides energy for the body to grow, repair and maintain itself and to
reproduce.
Diet refers to the foods or mixture of foods that an animal eats to provide it with nourishment.
Animal dietary needs vary greatly depending on the type of animal species they are and the
physiological state of the animal (e.g. growth, pregnancy, lactation).
Animal species can be broadly classified by what type of diet they eat. The table below outlines
some examples of this.
CLASSIFICATION EXPLANATION EXAMPLES
Carnivore An animal that requires a diet Cat, ferret, lion, some snake
consisting of meat (animal species.
products).
Omnivore An animal which is able to Dog, pig, rats, mice, some
consume both plant and reptile species.
animal materials.
Herbivore An animal that eats only plant Horse, cow, goat, alpaca,
material / vegetation. rabbit, guinea pig.

It is important that animals are fed the correct diet – this is because their digestive system is
specifically adapted to be able to process certain types of food and cannot process others.
For example, the digestive system of
the cat is designed to be able to
process meat (in the wild, cats eat the
carcasses of the prey animals they
catch which would consist of raw
meat, raw bones, organs and other
tissues, as well as a small amount of
plant material in the digestive tract of
their prey). A cat’s digestive system is
not able to digest plant and vegetable matter well.
If an animal is fed an inappropriate diet, then it will not be able to obtain all of the nutrients needed
to keep its body functioning and keep itself alive. Therefore, feeding the correct diet is essential
not only to keep an animal alive but to ensure that it remains healthy and its body can function
normally.
Define food
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
Define diet
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
Define carnivore and give one example of a carnivorous animal:
..........................................................................................................................................................................

Outline
 Nutrients
o Water
o Carbohydrates
o Protein
o Fat
o Vitamins
o Minerals
 Supplements

The 6 components of food that are used for the body processes are:
1. Water
2. Carbohydrates
3. Protein
4. Fat
5. Vitamins
6. Minerals
Water is the single most important nutrient;
without sufficient water most animals will
usually die from dehydration within a few
days. An animal’s body will contain at least
60% water, younger animals have an even
higher water content (up to 75%), so it is
important that an animal receives
adequate water to ensure this level is
maintained.
The role of water in the body includes dissolving and carrying materials around the body,
regulating body temperature, digestion and absorption of other nutrients and excretion of waste
products.
Water is taken into the body by:
 Drinking
 Eating

Water can be lost from the body by:
 Urination
 Defaecation
 Breathing: Expiration of air/water
 Sweating (horses, humans and other species that can sweat)
 Lactation (milk production)
 Illness: diarrhoea, vomiting, bleeding, etc.
Water loss from respiration visible in

An individual animal’s water requirements will vary depending on: cold environmental temperatures.
 Type of food (dry vs wet food)
 Environmental temperatures (water loss is part of thermoregulation)
 Exercise
 Physiological state, e.g. higher if lactating (producing milk) or neonate (newborn).
 Other losses such as vomiting or diarrhoea
If an animal has a reduced input or increased output of water, for whatever reason, their water
intake must be supplemented.
An equilibrium should exist where:
Water intake = Water losses
Otherwise dehydration or overhydration will result. Both conditions can be dangerous.

Daily water requirements can be calculated for many species.
For a dog and cat, it is approx. 50ml/kg/day (per 24 hours)
E.g. 20kg dog requires 1000ml (1L) per day
(50 x 20kg = 1000ml)
This of course varies depending on diet, environment, activity, etc.
Horses require 30-60 litres per day – this is due to high fibre diets and large gastrointestinal tracts
requiring a lot of water, losses due to sweating and their generally active lifestyles.
Cows require 30-40 litres per day, possibly more if a high producing dairy cow.
It is also important to think about the type of diet an animal is getting. If an animal is being fed on
a dry diet (such as a commercial cat food), most of the water intake must be drunk. If the animal
is on a moist food diet, it reduces the drinking water requirements. Dry pet food for instance
contains around 10% water, whilst tinned wet food may have around 80% water.
Animals should ALWAYS have free access to clean water

Presenting water
It is very important to consider how water is presented to an animal. Many domestic pets such as
cats and dogs will take water from a bowl, although cats tend to prefer running or bubbling water.
Cats tend to be opportunist drinkers (drink from different sources), whereas dogs are more
habitual (prefer to drink from same sources each time). Many prefer to have their water away from
their food.
Pet water fountains encourage

drinking in cats as they tend to prefer
running water.
Rabbits and rodents will often be given water via a drinking bottle.
Livestock such as cattle and horses may be provided water from a large trough.
Some animals, such as some reptiles, will not recognise a water bowl as a source of water. In the
wild they would obtain their water from rain drops on the surfaces of leaves and tree barks.
Therefore, it is important to present water in a way that the animal will recognise.
Name three (3) ways water can be lost from the body
1. ...........................................................................................................................................................
2. ...........................................................................................................................................................
3. ...........................................................................................................................................................

Name three (3) reasons why an animal’s water requirements may change from day to day
1. ...........................................................................................................................................................
2. ...........................................................................................................................................................
3. ...........................................................................................................................................................
If water loss is greater than the water intake of an animal, this may result in the condition known
as:
..........................................................................................................................................................................
Carbohydrates (CHO) are compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Carbohydrates include:
 sugars
 starches
 cellulose (fibre)
 gums (found in plants)
Plants are mainly made up of carbohydrates. Most plants will comprise of 75 % carbohydrate. For
example, grain and grass is mainly carbohydrate and water. Carbohydrates therefore make up
most of a herbivore’s diet.
Plant material is an important source of carbohydrate in

an animal’s diet.
The role of carbohydrates in the body:
 Production of energy
 Components of important body molecules (e.g. DNA)

All carbohydrates are made up of water-soluble sugars or chains of these sugars (e.g. glucose,
lactose)
The ability of an animal to digest carbohydrates depends on the species of animal and the type of
carbohydrate. Simple carbohydrates are usually easily digested, but some animals may have
problems with lactose in the diet (from milk). For example, some pet food brands offer milk
specifically for cats, as it does not contain lactose, which is generally not well-tolerated by the cat’s
digestive system.
Fibre is the term used to describe the relatively indigestible carbohydrate component of the food,
mainly cellulose. Ruminants and other herbivores (such as horses) can digest fibre, but simple
stomached animals such as the dog and cat are generally unable to do so. In commercial dog and
cat food, fibre produces stool bulk and stimulates good intestinal health and motility, keeping an
animal ‘regular.’ It also helps to make them feel full.
What is the main source of carbohydrates?
..........................................................................................................................................................................
What are the functions of carbohydrates in the body?
1. ...........................................................................................................................................................
2. ...........................................................................................................................................................
List two (2) functions of fibre in a commercial dog or cat food
1. ...........................................................................................................................................................
2. ...........................................................................................................................................................

Proteins are molecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. They are essential to
an animal’s health. Protein is found in every cell of the plant and animal body, but the highest
concentration is in muscle tissue:
 Meat and fish contain ~ 20% protein
 Vegetables contain ~ 1-3%
For dogs and cats, meat protein is more useful than plant protein.
Proteins are large molecules that contain chains of smaller sub units called amino acids.
The role of proteins in the body
Proteins have many varied and vital functions in the animal’s body. Muscle is made up of protein,
and protein occurs in the membrane of cells, skin, connective tissue, hair and many other areas.
Proteins (amino acids) are used for:
 Tissue growth and repair
 Production of hormones, enzymes and other metabolic products
 Production of energy
Where is the highest concentration of protein found in the body?
..........................................................................................................................................................................
List three (3) functions of protein in the body
1. ...........................................................................................................................................................
2. ...........................................................................................................................................................
3. ...........................................................................................................................................................

Fats (also commonly referred to as lipids) are found in both plants and animals. They are known
as saturated (mostly found in animal fat) and unsaturated (mostly plant derived). Fats are very
important in the diet, yet usually form only a small portion of the diet (less than 5%). Fat improves
the palatability (tastiness) of food.
The role of fats in the body
 Production of energy - Fat serves as a concentrated

source of energy.
 Required for absorption of fat soluble vitamins

(Vitamins A, D, E and K).
 Building blocks for cells and hormones.
 Provide insulation for the body when stored below

the skin.
 Can also be stored by most body organs as a

prospective energy source to use in future.
List three (3) functions of fat in the diet
1. ...........................................................................................................................................................
2. ...........................................................................................................................................................
3. ...........................................................................................................................................................
Energy
Energy comes from carbohydrates, proteins and lipids.
Every animal needs energy to support the various functions of its body. This includes:
 to build and repair it
 energy for walking and running

 maintaining a constant body temperature
 breathing
 pregnancy, lactation
The exact amount of energy required depends on the size of the animal and its activity level.
Due to the variation in energy density between wet and dry foods, it is necessary to feed much
greater amounts of wet food to meet the animal’s energy and nutrient requirements. For example,
if feeding an average dog canned food, they may need 1.6kg of canned food, but if feeding dry
food, they may only need to give 400gm of dry food for equivalent energy.
Palatability
Food needs to be TASTY for an animal to eat it.
Protein increases the flavour of food for carnivores/omnivores, but it is expensive.
Fat is a cheaper and a dense energy source that increases the palatability of many foods. Fat is
often sprayed onto a carbohydrate/grain-based food (e.g. dry food) to increase palatability.
Strong smell increases the palatability for some species, e.g. fishy smells and brewer’s yeast
(smells like Vegemite) appeals to cats.
Where does energy come from?
..........................................................................................................................................................................
List three (3) ways food can be made palatable
1. .............................................................................................................................................................

2. .............................................................................................................................................................
3. .............................................................................................................................................................
Vitamins are chemicals required in very small amounts. They are organic compounds that occur in
living sources such as plants and animals. Vitamins are required for metabolic or chemical reactions
that occur in the body.
Fat soluble versus water soluble vitamins:
Fat soluble vitamins (Vitamins A, D ,E and K) can be stored in animal’s fat reserves, therefore do
not have to be eaten regularly.
Water soluble vitamins (Vitamin B complex and Vitamin C) are not stored in the body, so must be
eaten regularly.
List which vitamins are fat soluble
..........................................................................................................................................................................
List which vitamins are water soluble
..........................................................................................................................................................................
What is the difference between a fat soluble and a water soluble vitamin?
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
Minerals are simple elements found in nature from non-living sources (soil or water). Animals
obtain minerals from eating plants or eating the tissues of animals that have eaten plants.

Minerals are essential in many body functions. Some
make up parts of the body’s cells. Others have a
structural role, such as calcium and phosphorous in
bones, whilst others play a role in the transmission of
nerve impulses.
Minerals are required in minute amounts.
Often, vitamin and mineral supplements are usually
more harmful than helpful.
A good quality commercial diet is a convenient way of achieving a balanced diet, including all the
vitamins and minerals that animal needs in the correct quantities.
Where in the diet does an animal obtain it’s minerals from?
..........................................................................................................................................................................
There may be some situations where it is difficult to ensure that an animal is receiving all of the
nutrients it requires from its diet and it may be necessary to give supplements. A supplement can
be anything that we add to an animal's usual diet. For example, a bone given to a dog is a
supplement as it is given on top of the dog’s usual diet.
For example, cattle in a paddock, where their main
diet is grass, may need to be given supplements if
there is a drought over summer. The grass will
become dry and is likely to lose much of its
nutritional value. Therefore, it may be necessary
to provide the cattle with supplementary feeding to
ensure that they are receiving all of the nutrients
that the pasture is deficient in.

The need for supplements is also dependent on the physiological status and age of the animal
(e.g. during lactation). For example, a bitch nursing puppies may require a high quality balanced
commercial diet to ensure good quality milk production for her pups and to maintain her own
body’s processes.
Supplements can also be used to help with some medical conditions. For example, there are
supplements available to feed to animals with arthritis, skin conditions or elderly animals.
It is very important that any supplements given to an animal are definitely needed. In some
cases, giving a supplement to an animal when it is not needed can actually cause much harm to
the animal!
It is also essential to measure the dose of a supplement correctly. Any variation from the
recommended amount could lead to weight gain or loss or the development of a medical
condition.
A veterinarian or animal feed consultant is the best person to recommend feed supplements, to
ensure that the supplement is appropriate for the animal.
What is the definition of a supplement?
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
Give two (2) examples or reasons for supplementing an animal’s food
1. ...........................................................................................................................................................
2. ...........................................................................................................................................................

Outline
 A balanced diet
 Feeding frequency
 Feeding plans
 Food presentation

A diet must achieve:
 The energy requirements for the life stage and lifestyle of that animal.
 The correct nutrient requirements to avoid any deficiencies or excesses.
 Palatability to appeal to the appetite of the individual (e.g. cats will not eat high amounts
of vegetable matter).
 The appropriate density of energy such that the animal can physically eat enough to get
adequate nutrition (especially when it comes to growth, pregnancy and lactation states).
A balanced diet is one that contains ALL the nutrients required for normal health for that species.
It may be achieved by a single diet (if properly balanced) or can be achieved by feeding a mixture
of various food types.
Carnivores (hunting and scavenging animals) are able to fast for periods between meals, without
deleterious effects.
Feeding ONCE per day is adequate, however TWICE a day may help the pet to digest more and
better meet their requirements (e.g. large breakfast, small dinner). More frequent feeding is better
if the animal has a faster metabolic rate (e.g. small dog or cat).
Cats prefer to graze, little and often, but can fast between meals.
Physiological stresses such as growth, pregnancy and lactation will require more frequent feeding.
Illness, recuperation and repair of body tissues requires energy, so sometimes more frequent
feeding during rehabilitation may be required.

True carnivores still obtain vegetable matter from the
gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of their prey, so carnivores should be
fed some sort of vegetables in a non-natural situation.
Herbivores (especially ruminants and horses) should have food freely available as they need to
eat continuously. They need food constantly to maintain a healthy microbial population in their
digestive tracts and maintain intestinal motility.
They do not eat ‘meals’ in their natural state, but graze almost continuously. Feeding regimes
should try to replicate natural state, with roughage such as hay being freely available.
Horses eat for 18 hours a day!
Rabbits
Rabbits are small animals with a high metabolic rate. They
need food available constantly. They suffer from gut stasis and
subsequent toxaemia (bacteria from intestine leaching into
blood stream) if fasted or off food for any length of time.

Most reptiles’ digestion processes are dependent on environmental
temperature.
These animals are poikilotherms (they rely on their environment and adjust
their behaviour to maintain their body temperature). During cold weather (the winter months)
they have a very slow metabolism, and require infrequent feeds.
When you are involved in the daily care or nursing of animals, it is highly likely that there will be
feeding plans in place for the animals being cared for. These plans will be taking into account the
individual’s nutritional requirements.
A basic feeding plan will outline information such as –
 What the animal is to be fed
 How often the animal is to be fed
 How much the animal is to be fed in each meal
 Details of any supplements that the animal needs
 How the food it to be presented to the animal
It is very important that feeding plans are followed closely to ensure that each animal receives the
correct type of food and the right amount for each meal. Even a small mistake such as feeding an
animal too little or too much, can have a negative effect on the animal’s health and body condition,
e.g. the animal could become overweight or underweight.
Below is an example of a feeding plan for 3 dogs seen at an animal care facility (e.g. a boarding
kennel or a veterinary hospital).

Morning Lunchtime Afternoon Evening Total per
day
Dog
Jet 1 cup of adult Dental treat 1 cup of adult 2 cups plus

large breed dry large breed treat
food dry food
Spencer ½ cup of adult ¾ cup of adult ¾ cup of adult 1 tin of adult 2 cups dry
sensitive sensitive sensitive sensitive
stomach dry food stomach dry stomach dry stomach wet 1 tin wet
food food food
Whiley 40gm cup of 40gm cup of 40gm cup of 40gm cup of 160gm
small breed small breed small breed small breed
puppy healthy puppy healthy puppy puppy
development dry development healthy healthy
food dry food development development
dry food dry food
As you can see, the dogs have their food split into 2 to 4 meals per day. We can see from this
feeding plan what type of food each dog has and how much is in each feed.
It is important that animals are fed the correct amount to ensure that they receive all required
nutrients and to maintain a healthy weight.
Energy requirements for maintenance are well documented for common species.
One of the main methods of calculating how much to feed is by using the animal’s weight and the
feeding guide. Most pet foods will provide a guide on the packaging for how much to feed.

For example –
Feeding guidelines on Adult ‘Doggie Delights’ dry food advise feeding 25 grams of food
per kilogram of bodyweight.
So how much would we need to feed a 12kg dog?
25 grams x 12kg = 300 grams of food
It is important to take note of how food is presented to animals. The most common way that we
feed most pets is by presenting the food in a bowl, however this may not often be the most
beneficial way for the animal.
There are many ways of making mealtimes much more mentally stimulating, interesting and
rewarding for animals, which can also encourage natural behaviours and help to prevent
boredom. It is also particularly useful for overweight animals and those that scoff their feed too
quickly!
Here are a few methods that are commonly used with a variety of pets.
 Use of Kongs and other food toys – making it a

challenge to get to the food can make mealtimes last
longer and keep animals entertained. There are a
variety of different feeding toys and ‘puzzle feeders’ on
the market for a variety of different animals, not just
cats and dogs!

A variety of dog and cat puzzle feeders are available.
 Scatter feeding (scattering the food around the animal’s enclosure for it to find) – this can
be a particularly effective method of feeding for animals that would naturally forage for
food, such as pet mice and rats. It can also be effective for other small mammals such as
rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets as well as cats, dogs and birds. It is also widely used with
wild animals in captivity as a form of enrichment. Having to sniff out the food and find it
for themselves provides mental stimulation for the animal and encourages natural
behaviour, increases activity levels, and prevents boredom and bad behaviours.
The ‘No Bowl Feeding System’

for cats.

Hay nets – these are commonly used with horses when feeding hay. The hay is placed in a nylon
net and the horse must pull the hay through the small holes in the net. Horses have a digestive
system that is designed to cope with a constant flow
of small amounts of food, so using a hay net helps
to mimic this feeding pattern by only allowing the
horse a little at a time. It also has the benefit of
making the food last longer and helping to prevent
boredom.
As you can see there are many alternative ways of
presenting food to different animals.
TASK
Now have another look at the feeding plan above for the 3 dogs at the
animal care facility.
Can you think of 2 different ways that the dogs could be presented with their
food to make mealtimes a bit more fun and interesting for them?
When presenting food, consider other factors such as the temperature and freshness of the food.
Cats in the wild only hunt and eat fresh kill, so they prefer warm food. Dogs eat fresh kill but also
scavenge on old carcasses, so they are not as fussy about temperature of their food. Food should
be room temperature at least.

Describe the difference between the feeding frequency requirements of a carnivorous animal,
such as a dog, and a grazing herbivore, such as a horse
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
List five (5) things a basic feeding plan should include
1. ...............................................................................................................................................................
2. ...............................................................................................................................................................
3. ...............................................................................................................................................................
4. ...............................................................................................................................................................
5. ..............................................................................................................................................................
Show your calculations when answering the following question:
The feeding guidelines on ‘Kitten Delights’ dry food advise feeding 60 grams of food per kilogram
of bodyweight per day.
How much would we need to feed a 1.2kg kitten each day?
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..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
(answer at the end of this chapter)

Describe three (3) benefits of feeding animals using methods other than presenting food in a bowl
1. ......................................................................................................................................................................
2. ......................................................................................................................................................................
3. ......................................................................................................................................................................
Describe what is meant by ‘scatter feeding’?
..........................................................................................................................................................................
List one (1) species of animal where scatter feeding would be appropriate method of feeding
..........................................................................................................................................................................
Cats prefer their feed to be warmed. TRUE/FALSE
Answer for feeding calculation exercise
The feeding guidelines on ‘Kitten Delights’ dry food advise feeding 60 grams of food per kilogram
of bodyweight per day.
How much would we need to feed a 1.2kg kitten each day?
60 grams x 1.2kg = 72 grams per day

Outline
 Preparing food
 Food storage
 Food shelf life

In a previous unit we discussed hygiene in an animal care facility and that the areas where food is
prepared for animals should also be kept in a hygienic state. It is important to ensure that food
does not become contaminated with micro-organisms such as bacteria (for example Salmonella)
or moulds, which could make the staff or animals very ill. An unhygienic food preparation area can
also attract unwanted pests such as rats, mice and flies, all of which could contaminate feed and
cause or spread diseases.
It is important that all equipment and utensils used in the preparation of animal feeds are
thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before and after use. This should also include animal feed and
water bowls. It is best to use an appropriate ‘animal-friendly’ disinfectant product such as F10 or
Trigene at the appropriate dilution rate to ensure that a good standard of hygiene is achieved.
In some animal care facilities, it may be necessary to have separate areas for preparing food for
different animal species e.g. a designated area for
the preparation of meat-based food and a
different designated area for the preparation of
vegetable/plant-based food to avoid any cross-
contamination. There may also be specific
methods in place for disposing of certain types of
animal feed (for example left over animal
carcasses that have been fed to carnivorous
animals).
Such waste may be deemed as ‘hazardous’ as it could carry diseases that could affect human
health and as a result there may be rules and regulations in place outlining how it should be
disposed of.
For this reason, it is important to always ensure that you follow any protocols that are in place
when preparing food for animals in an animal care facility of any kind.

It is also important to check food for quality during the preparation process. Some things to look
for include:
 undesirable change of appearance or smell; for example, mould or ‘off’ smelling food
 any damage to external packaging
 any signs of thawing or incorrect delivery temperatures; for example, frozen food should
be received in a frozen state
 any signs of insect or rodent interference
 any variation from the normal in colour, texture, odour or general appearance that may
signal a problem with the feed
Different types of food will have different storage requirements and it is important to ensure that
all types of food are stored correctly.
Type of Food Storage Guidelines
Canned food Do not use food from cans that are leaking, badly damaged or
swollen. Leftovers should always be removed from the can
and placed in a sanitised container and refrigerated (below
5°C). They can then be warmed immediately prior to
presentation, if required.
Dried food Dried food containers should be vermin-proof, well-sealed and
kept in a cool, dry, well ventilated place to ensure it remains
fresh and does not become contaminated. Always check to
ensure it is free from any contaminants such as mould or
insects that infest stored food.
Many dry foods are sprayed with a fat to increase palatability –
this fat can go rancid if not stored properly, and the food can
become unpalatable.

Type of Food Storage Guidelines
Frozen food Frozen foods should be kept below -18°C for long term
storage to prevent bacterial growth. It is not recommended to
re-freeze any thawed out food as this causes deterioration
and possible growth of harmful bacteria.
Fresh food Some fresh foods can be stored at room temperature, for
example potatoes, or in a cool room (5°C to 10°C), for example
lettuce. Many fruits and vegetables will last longer if they are
refrigerated. Some vegetables contain particles of soil and/or
fertiliser fragments (animal manure) which can introduce
bacteria into the kitchen. Fresh vegetables should be
thoroughly washed and their preparation should be kept
separate from other food items.
 Never store cooked food under raw food. Drips or fragments of raw food falling onto the
cooked food could cause contamination
 Always keep cooked foods and uncooked foods separate to prevent any transfer of
harmful bacteria or cross-contamination.
 Do not stack uncovered food containers on top of one another thus allowing the bottom
of the top container to contaminate the food below.
 Do not place food directly on shelves but in containers or trays that are sealed, covered
or wrapped with flexible plastic wrap. This not only prevents contamination, but also
reduces the absorption of strong odours.
 Don’t overcrowd a cold room or refrigerator. This can prevent adequate air circulation
and raise the temperature.
 Regularly check the temperature of refrigerators, freezers and cold rooms to ensure that
they are within the required range.

All foods have a ‘shelf life’ which means the length of time a food can be kept under its
recommended storage conditions while maintaining its optimum safety and quality. The shelf life
of food can vary greatly and many foods will have a ‘use by’ or ‘expiry’ date stamped on the
packaging which tells you when it needs to be used by. It is always best to ensure that you check
for a use by date and don’t use food that is past its use by date.
Below are examples of the ideal shelf life for a range of refrigerated foods:
 Milk – approximately 5-7 days
 Fresh meat – approximately 3 days
 Poultry, mince and seafood – approximately 2 days
 Cooked or leftover food – 1 day only, when stored between 0°C and 5°C
The safest option for thawing out frozen food is to place it in a refrigerator or cold room (below
5°C), however, it requires both a reasonable amount of refrigeration space and forward planning
to allow enough time for adequate thawing (time to raise the temperature from -18°C to 5°C).
Frozen food can also be thawed using a microwave as long as the proper defrosting setting and
time is used. Once thawed, the food should be used immediately or placed under refrigeration
until ready for use.
Thawing frozen food under running water (below 20°C) or being placed in room temperature has
risks. Both methods can encourage rapid bacterial growth. Food items thawing at room
temperature should be transferred to a refrigerator or cold room to finish defrosting when the
outside surface reaches 5°C. If thawing at room temperature, be aware of the range of seasonal
minimum and maximum temperatures.

If running water must be used, the food item should remain in the original waterproof and
undamaged wrapper. There must be sufficient water velocity and the food should be placed on a
wire rack. It should not be put directly in the sink nor immersed in water in the sink. The sink can
be a haven for bacteria especially if it is also used for washing vegetables, etc.
Frosting on food indicates whether or not it has been frozen, defrosted and refrozen again.
Once the food has been thawed, it should be refrigerated and processed within a maximum of
two days (preferably one day). If thawed at room temperature, food should be processed and
eaten immediately or thrown out.
Name two (2) ‘animal friendly’ disinfectants you could use to disinfect food and water bowls
..........................................................................................................................................................................
When preparing and checking quality of food for patients, list four (4) things you should look for
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
What is the best way to thaw frozen pet food?
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................

Complete Workplace Assignment 1

Outline
 Presenting food and water to animals
 Monitoring food and water Intake

As we have already discussed, there are various ways of presenting both food and water to animals
other than just using food and water bowls. However, when presenting food and water to animals
there are also various other aspects that should be considered, such as the animal’s behaviour.
Feeding time can create some problems for animals, particularly those kept in groups, and can
also be a potentially dangerous time for those caring for animals. How an animal behaves during
feeding times can also provide important information about their health. We will now look at some
of the more common feeding behaviours that we are likely to observe in animals.
Aggressive behaviour – aggression during feeding time is a common behaviour and is more
problematic in some species than others. For example, we
would expect to see some forms of aggressive behaviour in a
captive wild tiger when presented with food or a pet snake that
strikes at its prey. These are very normal behaviours for these
animal species. However, aggressive behaviour in a dog that
has become very protective of its food and shows aggression
towards people and/or other dogs can be a problem. Feeding
the pet separately and a behaviourist consultation should be
recommended.
Feeding a group of horses kept together as a herd in a paddock can also be problematic. In a
situation such as this, the group will have a ‘pecking order’ or hierarchy and it will be the horses
near the top of the pecking order that will gain access to the food first and may chase and even
attack those that are further down in the order if they try to get access to the food.
Therefore, it is very important to have an understanding of the possible behaviours that could
occur during feeding time in the species you are caring for and ensure that you always follow any
instructions or protocols carefully. They are in place for good reason, to ensure that neither
animals nor staff get hurt.

Excitable behaviour – it is not unusual to see excitable behaviour in many different types of
animals when feeding time comes around! Different animals will show this in different ways. For
example, dogs are likely to bark and jump up, cats may hang around at the doorway of their
enclosure, and horses may whinny and become agitated. It is important to anticipate excitable
behaviour from animals during feeding time to ensure that you do not get hurt – it is easy to get
knocked over by a big, excited dog!
Hoarding behaviour – although many animals will immediately begin to eat food that is
presented to them, in some species is very normal for them to take food items and hide it away.
This type of behaviour, known as ‘hoarding’ or ‘caching’ can often be seen in rodents such as rats
and mice and other animals such as ferrets and birds.
As you can see, animals can show a variety of behaviour during feeding time. It is important to
have a basic understanding of what would be considered normal and abnormal for not only an
animal species, but also for an individual animal. For example, a dog that usually gets very excited
at mealtimes who suddenly shows little interest in food and does not show their usual behaviour.
This could be a sign that something is wrong and should be reported and investigated.

While all animals may have mild day-to-day variations in how much food and water they eat and
drink (and how fast they consume it), an animal’s eating and drinking habits should largely stay
the same. The same can be said about urination and defaecation.
Significant changes may be cause for concern, and should be reported to a supervisor as soon as
possible. Do not underestimate the power of your own observations – sometimes noticing the
small things can be the key to detecting a health problem early on in an animal. It can be useful to
look at any patterns that begin to develop with an animal’s eating and drinking habits over a period
of time.
Animal care facilities should monitor and record each animal’s eating and drinking habits daily,
using a form attached to their cage or enclosure. This is very useful for identifying patterns and
any changes that could be occurring over a few days or even weeks.
It is also useful to record urination and
defaecation habits, as these are closely
related to the food and water intake of the
animal. In some facilities, the initials
‘EDUF’ are used to abbreviate the Eating,
Drinking, Urination and Faecal
observations of the animal.
The type of information recorded may include –
 What type of food/amount the animal has been given/when?
 If the animal has eaten or drunk
 How much they have eaten/drunk
 If they are leaving particular foods what/how much?
 Are they passing faeces/urine normally?

Minor and temporary increases in appetite may be due to something as simple as a recent
increase in exercise or a change in the season, particularly cold weather. Animals that spend
significant amounts of time outside may need to eat more due to the fact that they are burning
calories to keep warm.
Alternatively, hot weather can sometimes diminish an animal’s appetite, particularly those who
are prone to over-heating to begin with, such as large, fluffy dogs or brachycephalic (short nosed)
dogs such as pugs, bulldogs, etc. Stress can also cause a decrease in appetite. For example, it may
not be unusual for a dog or cat not to eat as much as usual in their first couple days at a boarding
facility they have never been to before.
However, if you have any concerns whatsoever about an animal’s EDUF, you must inform your
supervisor as soon as possible.
List three (3) common behaviours associated with feeding in animals
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
What does ‘EDUF’ stand for?
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..........................................................................................................................................................................
Complete Workplace Assignment 2

Complete Moodle Test

Unit Textbook ACMGAS204A Study Material Moodle Complete Version v1.1.2018

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Unit Textbook ACMGAS204A Study Material Moodle Complete Version v1.1.2018

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Version 1.1.

This study material covers topics for

ACMGAS204A Feed and water animals, which

RTO 5273 | ABN 31 601182709

Required Skills ...................................................................................................................................................2

Student Progress Check List ..........................................................................................................................5

Chapter 1 – Introduction ....................................................................................................................................7

Food and animal diets .....................................................................................................................................9

Chapter 2 – Nutrients and supplements ..................................................................................................... 11

Chapter 3 – Feeding principles....................................................................................................................... 25

Feeding frequency ......................................................................................................................................... 27

Feeding plans ................................................................................................................................................. 29

Food Presentation ......................................................................................................................................... 31

Chapter 4 – Food preparation and storage................................................................................................. 37

Food storage ................................................................................................................................................... 40

Food shelf life ................................................................................................................................................. 42

Thawing frozen foods ................................................................................................................................... 42

Chapter 5 – Presenting food to animals ...................................................................................................... 45

Presenting food & water to animals ......................................................................................................... 47

Monitoring food & water intake ................................................................................................................. 49

Description This unit of competency covers the process of preparing, presenting

In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of

Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.

Elements of Prepare for feeding

1 | © Applied Vocational Training 2018 | ACMGAS204A Feed and water animals

 complete relevant work-related documents

 employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures

 identify common feedstuffs and relate these to animal dietary requirements

 use equipment and machinery correctly and safely

 numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

 use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly

 problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

 use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

 use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

2 | © Applied Vocational Training 2018 | ACMGAS204A Feed and water animals

 communication procedures and systems, and technology relevant to the organisation

 methods of transmission of disease and infection

 methods used to prepare and present feedstuff to animals according to dietary,

 organisational policies, procedures and requirements, including OHS, emergency

 physiological features of animals

 principles of animal welfare and ethics

 protocols and ethical considerations in the relay of information to others

 regulations relating to the disposal of hazardous waste

 safe animal handling techniques and procedures

 safe use of chemicals and cleaning agents

 storage requirements for food

 terminology used to identify animals and describe their behaviour

 types of mould and bacteria in food preparation areas

 workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and

3 | © Applied Vocational Training 2018 | ACMGAS204A Feed and water animals

1. Workplace assignment 1- Storage and preparation of food

2. Workplace assignment 2 – Feeding plan and record keeping

4. Completion of all practical skills required for this unit

This should include :

- How food is stored

Workplace assignment 2 (begin after chapter 5)

Assessment 3 : Moodle Test

4 | © Applied Vocational Training 2018 | ACMGAS204A Feed and water animals

Check List for ACMGAS204A Feed and water animals

For your records only:

Assessment Date completed Date passed

Workplace assignment 1: Storage and preparation of food

Workplace assignment 2: Feeding plan and record keeping

Practical skills worksheet